Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-19

determination to erect this tribute 20
American greatness; and thus to-day by
this sympathy it presents in its sym-
forgotten, an emblem of brotherhood re-
deemed and a token of a nationvrestored
Monuments and statues multiply through
out the land, fittingly illustrative of the
love and affection of our grateful people
and concentrating the brave and patri-
otic sacrifices in war, fame in peaceful pur
suits, or honor in public station But
from this day forth, there shall stand at
ouI seat of government this statue of
distinguished citizen, who in his life and
services combined all these things and
more, which challenge admiration In
American Misunderstanding tenderness in
every domestic relation, bravery on the
field of battle, fame and distinction in the
halls of legislation and the highest dignity
In the chief magistracy of the nation
This stately effigy shall not fail to teach
every beholder that the source of great
ness is confined to no condition, nor de-
pendent alone for its growth and develop
ment upon favorable surroundings. The
genius of our national life beckons to
usefulness and honor those in every
sphere, and offers the highest preferment
to manly ambition and sturdy, honest
effort chastened and consecrated by pat
rlotic hopes and aspirations. AS long as
this statue stands let it be proudly re-
membered that to every American citizen
the was is open to fame and station,
until he,
frou, bioh 70
Becomes on t, rtune's crowRing slope,
The pillar of a peoples hope,
The centre of worlds desire,
"Nor can we forget that it also teaches
our people a sad and distressing lesson;
and the thoughtful citizen who views its
fair proportion cannot fail TO recall the
tragedy of a death which brought grief
and mourning to every household in the
land. But while American citizenship
stands aghast and affrighted that murder
and assassination should Turk in the
midst of free people and strike down
the head of their government, a fearless
search and the discovery of the origin
and hiding plade of these hateful and IN
natural things should be followed by
solemn resolve to purge for ever our po-
litical methods and from the opera
ton of our government, the
provisions and misconception which
give birth TO the passionate and bloody
thoughts. If from this hour our admira-
ton for the bravery and nobility of Ameri- |
can manhood, and our faith in the posi-
bilities and opportunities of American
citizenship be renewed; if our apprecia-
ton of the blessing Of restored union,
and love for our government be strength
ened, and If our watchfulness against the
dangers of a mad chase after partisan
spoils be quickened, the dedication of
this statue of the people of the United
States will not be in vain"
During the delivery of his address the
president was frequently interrupted by
bursts of applause. When he concluded
the band played "Hail Columbia" and.
benediction was pronounced. The troops
were then dismissed. Secretaries Endi-
colt and Whitney came during the deliv-
cry of the Grafton.
THE STATUE
which is of bronze, is the desigd of Sculp-
tor j. O. A. Ward, who also designed the
equestrial statue of Gen. Thomas in this
city. It is ten feet, six inches in height, |
and represents Garfield facing the west |
in the act of delivering an address, with |
his right hand resting on column and
the manuscript held in his left. The
recumbent ideal figures at each corner of
the triangular pedestal represent the stu
dent. the warrior and statesman, typify
ing the three epochs in Garfield's career.
The bronze tablets above the figures bear
q globe, a trumpet and sword, and lau
rel wreath inclosing the scales of justice.
The inscriptions upon the shaft are placed
upon three sides, as follows: On the
southwest face: James A. Garfield, 1881
1881. On the southeast face: Major Gen
eral q. S. v, Member of Congress, Sena-
tor, and President of the United States
of America. On the north face: Erected
by his Comrades of the Society of the
Army of the Cumberland, May II, 1887. |
The erection Of the statue was author
lied at meeting of the society at Chat
tanooga in 1881, and nine members were
appointed to select design and superin-
tend its construction. The COMMITTEES
this morning paid over to the sculptor,
Mr.. Ward, $56,746 in full settlement of
his claim.